A Supreme Court judge on Tuesday recused himself from hearing a plea filed by Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez in connection with a Rs 200-crore money laundering case. The case involves alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and 15 others.
Background of the Case
On May 30, a Delhi court ordered the framing of charges against Fernandez, Chandrashekhar, and the other accused. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed a chargesheet alleging that Fernandez accepted expensive gifts from Chandrashekhar, which were proceeds of crime. The actor has denied any wrongdoing, claiming she was a victim of Chandrashekhar's deception.
Supreme Court Proceedings
When the matter was called for hearing, Justice Sanjay Kumar, part of the bench, informed the counsel that he would recuse himself from the case. The bench was hearing Fernandez's plea challenging the Delhi High Court's order that dismissed her petition to quash the ED's chargesheet. The court did not specify a reason for the recusal, and the matter is likely to be listed before a different bench.
Legal Implications
Fernandez's legal team argued that the actor had no knowledge of Chandrashekhar's alleged criminal activities and that she was misled by him. The ED, however, maintains that Fernandez knowingly benefited from the proceeds of crime. The recusal by Justice Kumar adds another layer of complexity to the case, which has attracted significant media attention.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court registry will now assign the case to a new bench. Meanwhile, the trial court proceedings in Delhi are ongoing, with charges already framed against the accused. Fernandez remains on bail, and her legal team continues to seek dismissal of the charges.
